U.K. Wakes Up to Coffee

Flourishing Chains
See Room for Growth;
Gateway to Europe?

LONDON -- A seemingly unquenchable thirst for espresso has created a booming market for branded coffee chains in the U.K., with companies now looking to keep growth going by moving into smaller towns.

Despite a reputation for coffee that tastes like tea and tea that tastes like coffee, Britain is now the world's second-largest market for branded coffee chains and accounts for half of European sales, according to management consultancy...